NHL Rumor Mill – June 1, 2026
A look ahead at the Canadiens’ potential offseason plans and the latest on Ducks forward Mason McTavish in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
FINDING A SECOND-LINE CENTER WILL BE THE CANADIENS’ PRIORITY THIS SUMMER
TVA SPORTS: Jonathan Bernier examined what could be a busy summer for Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes.
Finding a second-line center tops the list. It’s rumored the Canadiens are monitoring Nico Hischier’s contract extension negotiations with the New Jersey Devils. If those talks break down, the Devils could trade him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils could trade him, but I doubt that they will. Sunny Mehta, their new general manager, doesn’t seem like he’s interested in tearing down and rebuilding the Devils roster.
New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier (NHL Images).
Bernier noted that Hughes has said he’d be willing to overpay for a player when the time is right. Whether it’s Hischier or another top player, the cost could mean parting ways with top prospect Michael Hage. If the Canadiens still consider Jacob Fowler their goalie of the future, they could offer up Jakub Dobes.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hage will almost certainly be part of the asking price for Hischier if the Devils center becomes available in this summer’s trade market. The same goes for Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, though I have my doubts that the Blues seriously intend to part with him.
Dobes would draw plenty of attention in the trade market given his strong play in this year’s playoffs. However, I believe the Canadiens intend to go into next season with Dobes and Fowler as their goalie tandem and will either trade or buy out Sam Montembeault.
Bernier also believes the Canadiens must bolster their depth on the right side of their blueline, add more grit to their checking lines, part ways with Montembeault and Brendan Gallagher to free up salary-cap space, cut ties with struggling RFA-eligible forward Kirby Dach, and sign Ivan Demidov to a long-term contract extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of these items will be easier to address than finding a quality second-line center. There aren’t many players of that caliber available, and acquiring one will be expensive.
Speaking of Demidov, the Canadiens and other teams will have until Sept. 15 to re-sign players to the maximum eight-year contract. After that date, the maximum is reduced to seven years. The maximum for unrestricted free agent signings will also drop on that date from seven years to six.
THE LATEST ON DUCKS FORWARD MASON MCTAVISH
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators have Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish on their radar.
A league executive told Garrioch that Staios is in the market for a top-six forward to play alongside Senators center Tim Stutzle.
McTavish, 23, is a center who can also skate on the wing. Signed to a six-year contract last September worth an average annual value of $7 million, McTavish’s production declined as he slipped down the lineup. He was a healthy scratch for two regular-season games in March and was scratched from two postseason contests.
Garrioch believes the Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens could also be interested in McTavish. The asking price could be a first-round pick and a player who can help the Ducks immediately.
McTavish has a previous connection with Staios. During his tenure as GM of the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, he acquired the young forward in a trade with the Peterborough Petes in 2022.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams in the market for a second-line center will be interested in McTavish because they’ll believe a change of scenery could help him regain his form. He also missed training camp and postseason play last September due to his contract talks, which contributed to his inconsistent play.
The asking price for McTavish won’t be as high as it would for Hischier or Thomas. However, a bidding war between multiple teams could drive up his value.
Other forwards who could interest the Senators include Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues and Jared McCann of the Seattle Kraken. The asking price for Kyrou is said to be a first-round pick, a top prospect, and a high-end player.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kyrou also has a full no-trade clause, giving him complete control over potential trade destinations. McCann has a 10-team no-trade list.
NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss included McTavish in his list of seven players that would be good fits with the Bruins.
The others included Robert Thomas of the Blues, Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque of the Dallas Stars, Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken, Olen Zellweger of the Ducks, and Simon Nemec of the Devils.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins would have an easier time pursuing Bourque, Wright, and Zellweger if they became available. Thomas and Robertson are likely staying put, while Nemec could seek $9 million annually on a long-term contract.
CALGARY SUN: McTavish also turned up on Kent Wilson’s list of potential trade targets for the rebuilding Flames. Shane Wright of the Kraken and Kent Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets were the others.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken are willing to part with Wright if he helps them land a scoring forward. Johnson’s production declined from his career-best of 24 goals and 57 points in 68 games last season to 22 points in 76 games in a third-line role. The versatile 23-year-old Blue Jackets forward might benefit from playing for a club where he isn’t bouncing around the lineup.
I don’t understand how reporters continually report Johnson as a center; he has taken 29 faceoffs combined the last two seasons.
The other connection McTavish has with Ottawa is that his father , Dale, is a pro scout with the Senators.
So, what would the Sens give up for McT?
Zetterlund and a first?
Mason also wears #23, as did former NHLer Gord McTavish. Anyone know if there’s a family link there?
Apparently, no relation at all.
I feel sorry if someone gives Nemec 9 million based on potential that is #2d salary which he is not there yet
If you’re watching Hischier, then should be watching Q Hughes also. Does playing with his brothers still drive him? Minnesotas lack of a top center would make Hischier part of a deal.
As far as McTavish to Ottawa, I’d think Pinto or Cozens would be going the other way. Will McT be happy playing RW?
He might not have to. Cozens has been playing with Celibrini and Crosby at the Worlds. Maybe they move him up to play with Stutzle and Tkachuk and play Mason on second line with Batherson and Greig.
Personally, J don’t see a fit there with the Sens, but who knows what Staois has in mind.
I don’t think McTavish is going to be cheap.
A first and a middle forward won’t cut it . Especially if a handful of teams with assets are interested.
If it costs more than a 1st and middle fwd , pass. I would not ship Pinto for him either. Square peg round hole , he’s not the right guy imo.
Is everyone committed that McTavish will rebound and regain his previous production? We hear a lot of it when a player has a career year and is (rightfully so) going to regress at some point…but for players having an off year or so, needs a change of scenery and he’ll regain his former self?
Equally risky and equally rewarding…that risk must factor in the cost and/or doing it, I’m guessing for both sides even.
Agree that that is what always makes a deal – or non-deal – for a player in his position a shade risky.
If Anaheim decides non of the offers they receive are enough, and he goes through yet another season like this last one, they may never see offers like those again.
And any team that is making offers now are likely gauging their offers on the same basis, i.e., give up too much and he has another season like the last and the GM has elements of the team’s fans screaming for his head.
Of course, if he explodes in his new location and what Anaheim accepted in return turn out to be ennhh at best, then Verbeek is under the gun.
Yes, McTavish was a # 3 overall, but there have been enough taken there over the years who failed to meet third overall expectations to warrant some element of caution:
Alexandre Svitov – 2001 by Tampa;
Cam Barker – 2004 by Chicago;
Alex Galchenyuk – 2012 by Montreal;
Jonathan Drouin – 2013 by Tampa;
Jesperi Kotkeniemi – 2018 by Montreal.
I think to keep in mind as well, George, is that the 2021 was a pretty weak draft with many question marks with regards to players rankings due to COVID.
I’d be a little apprehensive trading for Mctavish. He’s a solidly built forward, but his +/- and Fenwick numbers are pretty horrible. Now would Green’s system help him with that side of the game, possibly, but what would you have to give to get him?
Sens have great depth at C already, and I like all our C’s better than what Mason provides at his cap, so for me, it would be a no from the a Sens perspective.
“It was an emotional Gallagher who talked to the media on locker cleanout day Monday morning. “It’s pretty clear I’ll be moving on here,” he said, before having to pause due to tears. He added that he was grateful to play in front of the Bell Centre fans for so long.”
He wants out of Montreal, and has selected his childhood home of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Canucks, as his preferred destination.
That should be able to be arraigned, either by buyout or trade.
MTL would be better of retaining 50% then a buyout
Johnny he does NOT want out of Montreal. He’s just being realistic that there doesn’t seem to be any place for him with the team anymore.
The Chicago Blackhawks have traded Jack Pridham to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2027 third-round pick.
Good on TB! Who needs 1st round picks anyway!
Any idea why Chicago traded him for a mere 3rd? Only 20 yrs old, he has good size and speed, 90 pts in 65 games plus 9pts in 4 Mem. Cup games. Did he insist he wouldn’t sign in Chicago or something?
Tampa traded for his rights. He had to either sign today or commit to going to NCAA, in which they’d retain his rights for 2 more years. I don’t get it. It’s reported he’s going to commit to college. Pick Chicago got is for next year so why trade him now?
I read today that he was re-entering the draft this year. I didn’t even realize this was a possibility but according to this article it is. So, I assume that Tampa only has a small window to sign him or be in the same situation as Chicago.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/blackhawks-lose-promising-prospect-as-jack-pridham-heads-back-to-nhl-draft/ar-AA24yWVr?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=6a1dab6724234cb8bbea271cc5102651&cvpid=071a451912e4488df6dbbfce7032fc44&ei=40
While technically legal for non-playoff teams to make trades or for playoff teams to swap minor-league assets, it is said that Bettman and the league strongly discourage the practice.
Apparently they prefer to keep media focus solely on the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
So, does this mean Tampa Bay only have until the end of day to sign him, or he re-enters the draft this month?
When Tampa trades for a player most have not heard of you ….you know they gonna be a solid player
This
Oliver Kapanen had as good or better a season than Robert Thomas or McTavish as a rookie.
Thomas didn’t get as many goals till his 4th year and McTavish took 3 years.
Kapanen played well as 2C with Demidov on the wing till the 3/4 mark of the season when he seemed to have hit a wall, not unusual for a rookie who has never played more than 55 games at any level.
I wouldn’t be willing to give up much for Thomas or McTavish.
Hischier is another matter entirely but I can’t even guess what NJD would ask for him and he’s only one year from UFA.
I’ve yet to read any realistic trade scenario (for both sides) that makes sense.
NJD are a young team not in rebuild mode, the only way they trade Hischier is if he tells Sunny Mehta that he has no intention to re-sign.
If they DO trade him it won’t be for futures, it would need legit players in return, so talk of Hage+ 2 1st round picks is fiction.
The NJD player I would trade for is Paul Cotter 26y/o physical winger who’s being wasted over there RFA at minimum.
I’d put him on the 2nd line with Kapanen and Demidov as the digger. He’s physical, wins board battles, hard hitting, he has speed and would be perfect playing for MSL.
Kyrou for a 1st, top prospect and high end player?? I consider kyrou a high end player not a superstar. That projection of a return for a winger doesn’t make any sense. If he was a 1 line centre or top pairing D that package would make sense.
I think you can get Mctavish for a 1st and high end prospect. He is a risk based on his contract and I do think Anaheim would love to get his salary of the cap for Gauthier and carlsson signings. They do have the cap room to keep him but not Anaheim is prepared to spend to the cap ceiling.
Any Laine chatter? seems worth gamble for a team with powerplay woes… Calgary or Philly
Mctavish top line center ceiling? he always seems a step behind to me
Why would Calgary want Laine? They’re rebuilding.
To sit on the powerplay and help them get a high draft pick next season
u gotta keep fans in the seats
if Laine scores 15 PPG for cheap why not
no contender is taking a risk on Laine unless he agrees to a low cost salary because he wants to play in the playoffs(if his body lets him
Only fantasy but Montreal has opened the window maybe early but we all know it closes quickly most times.
Mc David agrees to be traded to Montreal ( Highly unlikely) Montreal trades Fowler top goalie prospect , Hage top centre prospect and Reinbacer top d prospect with one of my favourite Gally to make the cap hit closer . Who says no . Please do not take this as it will happen fantasy .
Barzal to be traded??? Darche is taking calls on him to gauge his value. He can only be traded to 9 teams. Would he go home to Vancouver????
The Habs have three top priorities this off season.
1. Need another top 6 forward. Winger or center. I see Kapanen more as a third line center. Newhook is a lower end second liner. One of them can be on second line but not both.
2. A solid RD. Carrier struggled at times although he picked it up in the post season. Another RD would take the pressure off. Reinbacher is the guy they need to step up but he may need another year in the minors.
3. Move out Montembeault. They won get much for him but with several teams needing goaltending help they won’t have to retain salary.